Wednesday, March 2, 2011
GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
South Hadley is considering whether its police officers should carry Tasers, after receiving an offer from the Village Commons business complex to buy four of the devices which deliver powerful electric shocks.
SOUTH HADLEY - South Hadley is weighing whether its police officers should carry Tasers, after receiving an offer of four of the less-than-lethal devices for free from a local business.
The civic association "Know Your Town" sponsored a panel discussion held at the South Hadley High School Monday night evaluating the pros and cons of Tasers, a self-defense law enforcement tool that emits a powerful electric shock to incapacitate aggressive or high-risk suspects.
South Hadley's Village Commons business complex offered in November to pay for the purchase of four Tasers for use by South Hadley police officers, which spurred the community forum and the subsequent Selectboard vote that will follow at an unspecified date.
"We felt we needed more information on Tasers, and we wanted to hear from those who oppose Taser use," Selectboard Vice Chairman Bob Judge said in an interview Tuesday. "We have not set the date of the vote. It might be soon, or we might decide that we need more information."
South Hadley Police Chief David LaBrie began considering the use of Tasers after an officer was hurt during an arrest about a year ago, forcing him into retirement. "Tasers may have been helpful in preventing that injury," LaBrie said.
At the forum, Judge said residents expressed concerns "about potential negative physical effects of Taser use upon people, especially people who may not be healthy."
Another concern was about the ethics of the company, Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Taser International, itself, Judge said, while others were skeptical about the town accepting the Tasers from a private business.
"This creates a conflict of interest because some people feel that it should be funded by taxes, a cleaner way of funding public expenditures," Judge said.
Taser says on its website that it creates less-than-lethal technology that "is generally recognized as a safer alternative to other uses of force," and that their products "are meant to save lives."
According to a report by Amnesty International, there were 351 Taser-related deaths in the United States from June 2001 through August 2008.
LaBrie said that there are 350 existing studies evaluating the use of Tasers, some of which were presented and discussed at the event. A study published in June 2008 suggested that "exposure (to Tasers) is safe in a vast majority of cases."
Various policies and procedures differ on Taser use; LaBrie said that, at the South Hadley Police Department, Tasers would be used in place of a baton or striking the individual.
"A lot of criticism against departments using Tasers is about their misuse, as opposed to debating the technical or mechanical use of the Taser itself," LaBrie said. "Any tool that law enforcement has can be misused. It's not the tool that causes misuse; it's the individual."
Selectboard member Marilyn Ishler said that after hearing "multiple excellent presentations" given by LaBrie and Sgt. Mark Baran, she felt much more comfortable with Taser use.
"South Hadley has written a strong policy concerning when a Taser can and cannot be used, and I think they'd be a good tool for the officers to have," Ishler said.
Judge said that he "heard a good mix of opinion," and LaBrie said that he was impressed with the 40 or so residents who attended the discussion.
Judge and DeToma are both incumbents.
